Chapter 72: Happy Progress Day!

~~~~~Six years later~~~~~

Kaboom! 

Fireworks exploded in the sky as people filled the streets, happily talking and cheering, showing off their many inventions. Kids giggled and ran through the streets, while adults engaged in pleasant conversation or conducted thriving business. 

High above Piltover, the Hexgates loomed over the city- the new, mighty symbol of Piltover, the result of Jayce and Viktor's work. 

Zzzzt 

A lingering, archaic hum resonated before the ship disappeared, leaving a trail of blue light that faded into the sky. 

Stalls lined the streets across Progress Bridge. Barbers gave haircuts, Jericho had his stall set up selling slugs, and people who once wore glares of hatred now carried warm smiles. 

In the Last Drop, sunlight beamed through the ceiling. What was once a place of dark, somber colors was now vibrant, illuminated with purples and blues beneath a newly installed glass ceiling. 

"Yeah, he's out right now," Powder said with a smile, replying to a customer behind the bar. "What can I get you?" 

Her hair was styled similarly to how it had been in Arcane- two long ponytails framing her pale complexion. She wore a green sleeveless shirt and brown pants, with a slightly heavier brown jacket draped over her smaller frame. 

"Two stouts!" the customer replied, sliding a copper coin across the table. "Where are the others? Normally, they're buzzing around here like flies." 

Hitting the tap, she responded casually, "They're helping Ekko test his new hoverboard." 

"Always looking for the next thrill," the customer chuckled. 

Powder grinned as the foam reached the top of the pints and slid them across the table. 

"Is it any good?" 

"It can go crazy fast!" she affirmed but waved a hand in the middle. "Stabilizers still need some work, though." 

"Why aren't you there? Aren't you the real genius fixing all his work?" 

Leaning on the counter, Powder smirked. "Yeah. They can't do anything without me. Last time Claggor tried to make a retractable clothesline for a lady, but he made the tension too high. She's still wearing a wig." 

"All the more reason to go check on them," the customer said, taking a hearty swig of his stout before grabbing the other to return to his table. "Before he breaks something!" 

"I will, once Vi comes back," Powder replied, her gaze briefly flickering toward the entrance before she sighed. "Someone's gotta hold the fort."

The customer chuckled, shaking his head as he walked away, leaving Powder alone behind the bar. She leaned forward, propping her chin up with her hands, absently tapping her fingers against the counter.

The Last Drop was different now- brighter, livelier. No longer a den of despair, but a true place of gathering. Vander's legacy lived on, even if things had changed. Even if she had changed.

Her fingers idly traced a small engraving on the wood- a tiny monkey face, carved deep into the surface. A familiar, comforting sight.

The bell above the door jingled, drawing her from her thoughts. Powder's head snapped up, a small grin forming as Vi stepped inside.

"Miss me?" Vi smirked, walking up to the bar.

"Not really," Powder quipped, crossing her arms. "You took forever."

"Well, you know how Ekko gets," Vi replied, rolling her eyes. "He says he's almost got it this time, but I'm pretty sure he's just making excuses for the last five crashes."

Powder laughed, shaking her head. "So, how many bruises this time?"

"Enough to make Mylo look like a genius," Vi shot back, leaning on the counter.

Powder was about to tease her when she noticed Vi's expression shift- her gaze flickering toward the window.

"You okay?" Powder asked, softer now.

Vi hesitated, then exhaled slowly. "Yeah. Just… thinking."

Powder didn't press. She knew Vi well enough to recognize when she wasn't ready to talk. Instead, she grabbed two glasses and poured a drink for both of them.

"To thinking," Powder said, raising her glass.

Vi smirked, clinking hers against Powder's. "To not thinking too much."

They both took a swig, letting the moment settle between them. Outside, the fireworks continued, the sky alight with color. Piltover was celebrating progress.

-------------

Harsh screeching of metal echoed through the tunnel as Ekko's hoverboard ground against the wall before flying out from beneath his feet.

"Shit," Ekko cursed, groaning as he sat up from the heavy landing.

"You almost got it! Just a few more tweaks, and you'll be there," Vander encouraged, his arms crossed, amusement lacing his tone as he watched the board skid to a halt.

Gray hairs dotted his beard, but his hair and outfit remained the same as they had in the past.

Ekko, on the other hand, had changed. He now wore heavier clothes, layered with belts, dark undertones, and a thick brown trench coat with leather gloves.

The tunnel walls bore the scars of his testing- scuffed, burnt, and scratched from repeated crashes. Claggor and Mylo had already left, locked in a heated argument over who had ridden it better.

Without a word, Ekko stood up, brushing himself off before walking over to pick up the board, his expression dark as he examined it.

Vander's easygoing demeanor faded, replaced by a sigh and a more serious tone. "Silco's last major factory was destroyed. His operations are in ruins."

Ekko's head twitched slightly, his eyes shifting, but he didn't turn to face him.

"Is it not enough?" Vander asked, his sharp eyes watching him closely. "The others worry about you. I worry about you."

"That's great," Ekko replied flatly. "Maybe your worry can bring Benzo back- and all the people who've suffered because of him."

Vander's jaw tightened, but his voice remained calm.

"Look, all I'm saying is you should take a break," he offered, gesturing slightly. "Hang out with Powder for a bit, go check out topside. It's Progress Day- I'm sure you'll find something that-"

"Every day we give him is a day someone gets hurt," Ekko cut him off sharply. "I don't want to see Powder or anyone else getting hurt. Besides, she's no different from me incase you forgot."

A heavy silence fell between them until the distant sound of footsteps echoed through the tunnel.

They both turned, and Ekko stiffened. His grim expression vanished instantly, blinking in mild surprise.

"Wow, really messed the place up, huh?" Powder said slowly, her eyes wandering the wrecked tunnel with intrigue. She smirked, placing her hands on her hips, a satchel hanging over her shoulder. "Should've called sooner- I would've fixed it in a heartbeat!"

Chuckling, Ekko held out the hoverboard as she approached. "Can't let you go fixing everything. I need to learn somehow."

"Yeah, that's true," Powder affirmed as Ekko huffed. Running her fingers along the blades, she studied them closely. "The blades... you changed the pitch?"

Ekko nodded, crossing his arms confidently. "The air is denser in the fissures. Seemed like a good idea."

"Hm..." she mused, spinning the blades. "Maybe a way to switch modes when you leave the fissures? I can only imagine how unstable this is if you take it topside."

"Maybe," Ekko shrugged. "But it isn't made for them. And anyways, they just have to try harder, then."

Hesitating, Ekko glanced back at Vander, who gave him a nod of approval. His gaze slowly shifted back to Powder.

"So... Hey, Powder…"

"Yeah?" Powder asked, her attention still focused on the hoverboard.

"I've been thinking," Ekko began after another hesitant pause. "Maybe it's a good time to take a break."

Powder froze for a moment before her eyes darted up to him in surprise.

"What?" she asked, bewildered as the hoverboard fell back into Ekko's grasp.

Spinning the blades absentmindedly, his eyes met hers as he continued, this time more firmly. "A break. Take a day to enjoy Progress Day-"

"This isn't you," Powder cut him off, her eyes darting accusingly to Vander before snapping back to Ekko. "You know just as well as I do why we do this."

"Yes, but-"

Vander stepped forward, unfolding his arms as his expression grew more firm. "One day. Take it off. The world won't end while you're gone."

Powder's eyes flickered with emotion for a moment before her shoulders slumped, finally relenting. "Alright, let's do it, bozo."

A small light flickered in Ekko's eyes as she turned away. He glanced back at Vander, who smirked at him before gesturing toward her with a tilt of his head.

Just like that, the mood shifted. Slinging the hoverboard over his back, Ekko stepped up after her.

"How were the customers?"

"Oh, you know how they are…"

Their conversation faded as they left the tunnel, leaving Vander behind, smiling warmly. His gaze wandered over the damaged walls for a moment, fingers brushing the scars before he stepped out as well, his expression lighter than before.

-------------

Deep in the depths of Stillwater Hold, no light touched the corridors or cells. Only the faint drips of water echoed through the silence, occasionally interrupted by muffled groans from those imprisoned.

Pitch black. Even if he raised his hand before his face, Orion wouldn't be able to see it.

He lay on the cold stone floor, unmoving, trapped in restless sleep. Yet, in the darkness, something stirred.

Tendrils of sickly purple energy weaved in and out of his head, illuminating the cell with a faint, eerie glow before retreating back into the void.

Orion had changed over the years. He now stood at 190 cm (6'2"), his frame taller but still lean, almost malnourished from years of confinement. His body bore deep, permanent scars- reminders of the explosion topside and the countless wounds that followed. The smaller ones had long since faded, but the worst remained.

His once rich brown hair was now streaked with gray and black, a result of his time in the dark. A layer of grime clung to his skin.

And his eyes- when he opened them, their once-brilliant green was now tainted, a faint purple glow tracing the lower portion of his irises.

It didn't harm his looks though, his prominent features made him still quite the looker if not for being so gaunt and pale.

Not that it mattered. No one was looking.

His cell was no ordinary prison. Arcane symbols were carved into the walls, etched deep in intricate, ancient markings. Across from him, runes and embedded Hextech crystals pulsed faintly, forming a containment field meant to suppress criminal mages.

The only time he ever saw light was when his meals arrived- when the food slot slid open, and flickering torchlight briefly spilled into his cage before vanishing again.

Meals in the dark. Nightmares every night.

The visions from beyond the portal had never left him. They followed him even here, clinging to him like a sickness.

Dark rings clung beneath his eyes. And now, as he let out a ragged, desperate shout, he awakened from yet another nightmare.

As his breathing slowed, the purple light receded, as if recognizing the danger of being seen.

Orion stared blankly at the metal door, his gaze dull and empty as torchlight illuminated its frame from the outside.

Then- a noise.

His eyes widened in shock, muscles tensing as the door creaked open.

Years ago, he would have sprung into action instantly at a moment like this. But now, after so long in the dark, he hesitated.

A sinister voice echoed from the entrance.

"It took a long time."

Two Enforcers stood in the doorway, masked and armed. One was massive, built like a brawler, while the other was lean and sharp, carrying an air of authority.

The slimmer figure stepped forward, gaze sweeping over Orion's weakened form.

"You wouldn't believe the strings I had to pull to make this happen."

Orion felt the weight of his stare, the silent judgment before the man let out a snort of amusement.

"They've treated you well all this time. You should be thanking Greyson for that. Or maybe not, perhaps it was more of a curse? Dying would've been a release."

Orion's throat was dry, his voice rasping as he finally spoke.

"Who are you?"

His own voice startled him. Deep, rough, and unfamiliar.

The man let out a low, mocking chuckle.

"Who else in your lifetime has saved you?"